Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis-Urinary Tract Involvement and Predictive Factors for Major Surgery

To evaluate urinary tract involvement by deep infiltrating endometriosis as well as the surgical treatment and existence of predictive factors for major urologic surgery.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 656 women submitted to surgery for endometriosis, of which 28 patients underwent minor or major surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the urinary tract, with a mean age of 38 ± 6.9 years (27-50) at diagnosis. Clinical data, surgeries performed, and complications were analyzed. Minor surgery was defined by endoscopic surgery or insertion of a percutaneous nephrostomy catheter, and major surgery included open or laparoscopic procedures.

Endometriomas affected the ureter in 13 (46.4%), the bladder in 11 (39.3%), and both structures in 4 (14.3%) patients. Twelve (42.9%) patients had decreased renal function, and ureteral involvement was predictive of renal function loss (P = .034). Minor surgeries were performed in most women with isolated bladder involvement and in 12 (42.9%) patients with ureteral infiltration. Patients with ureteric involvement underwent major surgeries more often (n = 12 vs n = 3; P = .025) and had longer hospitalization (8.2 vs 3.1 days, P = .05). After a mean follow-up of 36.3 (1-102) months, there was no bladder involvement recurrence. The most common complication was ureteral stenosis (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb) in 3 (10.7%) patients.

Surgery is highly successful in most cases. Patients with ureteric involvement are more likely to lose kidney function, undergo major surgery, and have longer hospitalization.